This is not a difficult decision to make, and anyone would be inclined to offer such a gift. Urban Meyer would absolutely do the same thing for a young Michigan fan. The difference, I suspect, is that Coach Meyer would have already made several media appearances to accept praise for his gracious gesture.

Maybe not, but I don't think you can blame them for that. Hoke went above and beyond, that's why it's special. You can't blame someone who doesn't go above and beyond, because that would just mean it's expected behavior, and therefore not special.

This is a reminder of that. Sometimes we get so caught up in the rivalry that we forget that this is just sports. It is temporary distraction from life. It's meant to be fun. Coach Hoke understands that perfectly.

Frankly, this is the single best thing he has done as coach. I'm proud he is our coach.

I sort of think the opposite. This shows to me that the Michigan Football program isn't just sports. It's supposed to represent an extremely high ideal for how to live and act. It's supposed to be a place where children enter and good men leave. The program at its very best should be bound up with all the ideals we want the most public face of our university to represent, and should not just be a sports team.

"The Rotary Club of Jackson, MI has offered to pay for the Reed family's hotel stay."

Between things like this and Brady Hoke's offer, it makes me that much more proud of Brady Hoke, this staff, this program and the people that work to support it through their efforts. The culture surrounding Michigan football really is a great one. Awesome stuff indeed.

"Funny isn't it, how naughty dentists always make that one fatal mistake."

Yeah keep reading the comments until you get to the one about how "if anyone wants to lose their respect for Michigan, just go to MGoBlog." In some ways I feel bad for them, as they drown in their own delusion.

I hate to admit it, but I agree. Though in this particular context, it is kind of a big deal and it is a slow news period. When 4-5 kids are arrested/charged over a single weekend in the dead of summer, it is going to get some notice.

Yes, it is a Huge game and usually has a myriad of story lines: Big Ten Championship, bragging rights, pay-back, win one for the Gipper/Bo/Woody, Heisman hopes, NC chances, but it's hardly life or death. It's a game, it might be The Game but win or lose there will always be next year. This little guy wasn't guaranteed that. So to see Hoke go out of his way to make this upcoming version of The Game a special one for Grant after he fought his own battle it makes me very proud of the tradition both schools share together that allowed this wonderful story to happen.

That spit joke actually made me laugh...cuz it was a joke - they've responded to this story with more overall class than this site has.

I read 11W almost as frequently as this site. I like to gain the rival's perspective, and I know I'll enjoy future Games even more, with greater insight into their program. The 12-year-old level banter is embarrassing - on both sites - but I guess that will always be there.

I do like this site a lot, but I must say that at least on 11W there are far less grammar police, over-sensitive whiners, arguments over whether something is OT or not (and disclaimers just in case someone thinks it is - oh no!). Oh, and the way the slightest criticism of Brian brings on a North Korean-esque defend-the-dear-leader, knee-jerk response? - love that. I think Brian's a big enough boy to defend himself folks - if/when he cares to.

There's a lot I like about this site, I just needed to purge some accumulated BS. Just keepin' it real - we like that here- right?

The first and only time I went on it was the other day to see what they had to say about all the crap going on. I expected 11W to at least somewhat be like MGoBlog except with more incest, but I was shocked at the large pile of crap I saw instead.

""You miss 100% of the shots you never take -- Wayne Gretzky" -- Michael Scott"

Awaiting the arrival of The Blue Baller- Premieres August 31st in Ann Arbor

It's not exactly out of the blue as the story gained a good deal of national attention. I'm sure fans, alumni, etc probably suggested somebody from Michigan make some sort of gesture. Also it's not like it would be hard for them to get their hands on tickets, so I don't think I would say "they went out of their way." So in a world where Meyer and Smith didn't offer some sort of genture to a Michigan fan in a similar situation they would have to be, at best, indifferent and at worst hostile to the idea. I don't see how anybody can draw a lesson from how they run their sports teams that would lead them to this conclusion.

The only reason I bring this up is that I think there's way too much character assassination in sports. People show that they can rise above sports rivalries all the time yet fans are always quick to assume the worst about each other.

Why did Hoke even have to do it? Beyond glad he did but don't tell me urban couldn't get tickets for the kid. I'm sure we would have obliged even if it wasn't urbz who is a millionaire and coach at the opposing school in The Game. Hoke and that kid, ftw!

This kind of news better make Sportscenter, not that it's important, most important thing is this kid being healthy. But with all the rubbish about OSU, I'd like to see a truly good story come out today.

You know, Dude, I myself dabbled in pacifism once. Not in 'Nam of course.

Coach Hoke is a true Michigan Man and leading by example. This is how a head coach should behave himself. If you want the boys to grow to be men you have to lead by example. Its great to be a Michigan Wolverine!

What sucks more than losing to Sparty? Losing to Ohio! What sucks more than losing to Ohio? NOTHING!

The Michigan Difference. Glad to have not only a coach lead my favorite team, but a human being that these men will hopefully follow. Hoke realizes, sometimes you have to put the "x's and o's" out of the equation and just LEAD!